If your dog is vomiting, has diarrhea, is shaking, seems lethargic, or has stopped eating, it can be hard to know how serious it is. This guide explains what each symptom may mean, which warning signs require emergency veterinary care, and when it may be safe to monitor your dog at home.
These are some of the most common reasons pet owners contact an emergency veterinarian, and understanding the difference between a mild issue and a medical emergency can help protect your dog’s health.
At Mass-RI Veterinary ER, we provide emergency veterinary care for pets experiencing urgent medical concerns, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, toxin ingestion, and more.
Quick Reference: Dog Symptoms and When to Get Help
Use this as a general guide. When in doubt, contact a veterinarian.
- Vomiting once, dog acting normal → Monitor at home; contact your vet if it recurs
- Vomiting repeatedly or can’t keep water down → Seek veterinary care
- Diarrhea under 24 hours, dog active → Monitor and feed a bland diet
- Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with vomiting → Veterinary care needed
- Shaking with other symptoms → Contact a veterinarian; may indicate pain, toxin exposure, or illness
- Not eating for more than 24 hours → Veterinary evaluation recommended
- Bloated or swollen abdomen → Emergency: seek care immediately
Dog Vomiting
Vomiting is one of the most common symptoms seen in dogs. While it can result from something minor like eating too quickly or a mild stomach upset, it may also signal a more serious underlying condition.
Common Causes of Vomiting in Dogs
- Eating spoiled food, garbage, or a foreign object
- Sudden diet change
- Intestinal parasites
- Gastrointestinal infection or inflammation
- Pancreatitis
- Toxin or medication ingestion
- Motion sickness
Dogs vomiting white foam or yellow bile often do so on an empty stomach. In some cases this is harmless, but persistent vomiting may indicate gastrointestinal irritation or another medical issue.
When Vomiting Requires Veterinary Care
Contact a veterinarian if your dog:
- Vomits more than once or twice in a 24-hour period
- Cannot keep water down
- Appears lethargic, weak, or unresponsive
- Has vomiting along with diarrhea
- May have eaten a toxic substance or foreign object
- Has blood in the vomit
If your dog is experiencing persistent vomiting or worsening symptoms, emergency evaluation may be necessary.
Concerned about your dog’s vomiting?
Our emergency veterinary team is available to evaluate pets experiencing vomiting, dehydration, abdominal pain, and other urgent symptoms.
Call Mass-RI Veterinary ER for emergency veterinary care.
Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea in dogs is extremely common and can range from a minor dietary upset to a sign of serious illness. Understanding the cause helps determine the right level of care.
Common Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs
- Dietary indiscretion (eating something unusual or spoiled)
- Sudden change in food
- Stress or anxiety
- Intestinal parasites
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Food intolerance or allergy
When to Call a Veterinarian for Dog Diarrhea
Mild diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours in an otherwise healthy, active dog can sometimes be managed at home with a bland diet. Seek veterinary care if your dog:
- Has diarrhea lasting more than 24–48 hours
- Has blood or mucus in the stool
- Is also vomiting
- Seems lethargic, weak, or dehydrated
- Is a puppy, senior dog, or has underlying health conditions
Signs of dehydration include dry gums, sunken eyes, and skin that doesn’t spring back when gently pinched.
Dog Shaking or Trembling
Occasional shaking can be normal. Dogs may shiver when cold or excited, and some breeds are naturally prone to trembling. However, shaking that appears suddenly or occurs alongside other symptoms should be taken seriously.
Possible Causes of Shaking in Dogs
- Pain or injury
- Fever
- Anxiety or fear
- Toxin ingestion
- Neurological conditions or seizure activity
- Low blood sugar
- Generalized illness or weakness
Shaking combined with vomiting, lethargy, weakness, or collapse may indicate a medical emergency. Do not wait to seek care if multiple symptoms appear together.
If your dog is shaking and not acting normally, contact your veterinarian right away for guidance.
Dog Lethargy
A lethargic dog may seem unusually tired, sluggish, or uninterested in normal activities like walks, food, play, or interaction.
Common Causes of Lethargy in Dogs
- Infection
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Pain or injury
- Toxin exposure
- Anemia or blood loss
- Organ dysfunction
If your dog is lethargic and not eating, or lethargic with vomiting or diarrhea, prompt veterinary evaluation is recommended.
Dog Not Eating (Loss of Appetite)
A dog refusing food, especially one that is usually food-motivated, can be an early sign that something is wrong.
Reasons Dogs Stop Eating
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Dental pain or oral disease
- Infection or fever
- Internal pain
- Stress or anxiety
- Systemic illness
- Medication side effects
If your dog skips one meal but otherwise seems normal, monitoring may be appropriate. If your dog has not eaten for more than 24 hours or develops additional symptoms, contact a veterinarian.
Dog Bloated Stomach: Know the Warning Signs
A swollen or distended abdomen may indicate gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat. GDV is a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself.
Without treatment, GDV can become fatal within hours.
Emergency Signs of Bloat in Dogs
- Swollen or hard abdomen
- Unproductive retching
- Restlessness or pacing
- Excessive drooling
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Weakness or collapse
GDV is more common in large, deep-chested breeds, but it can occur in any dog.
If you suspect bloat, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Learn More About Dog Bloat
Want to better understand the early warning signs of GDV and when to seek emergency care?
Read our blog: Recognizing Dog Bloat: Early Signs and Emergency Care in Swansea, MA.
When Multiple Symptoms Occur Together
A single mild symptom may resolve on its own. But when two or more symptoms occur at the same time, the risk of a serious underlying condition increases significantly.
Symptom Combinations That Require Veterinary Care
- Vomiting and diarrhea together
- Vomiting and lethargy
- Shaking with weakness or inability to stand
- Not eating combined with lethargy
- Any symptom combined with a bloated abdomen
- Any concerning symptoms in puppies or senior dogs
Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own when multiple warning signs are present.
When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
Go directly to an emergency veterinary hospital if your dog:
- Is vomiting repeatedly and cannot keep water down
- Collapses or becomes extremely weak
- Has a visibly swollen or hard abdomen
- Is shaking along with weakness or loss of coordination
- Shows signs of severe dehydration
- May have eaten a toxin, medication, or foreign object
- Has blood in vomit or stool
- Has stopped eating or drinking and seems unwell
At Mass-RI Veterinary ER, our emergency veterinary team is equipped to stabilize and diagnose urgent medical conditions as quickly as possible.
If your dog develops symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal bloating, don’t wait to seek guidance.
When in doubt, contact a veterinarian. Prompt care can make a critical difference in your pet’s recovery.